Book: Separation of Church and Hate

 Book: Separation of Church and Hate

Author: John Fugelsang

Pages: 304

This is the 210th read for the year

What Amazon Says:

For more than 2 centuries, the US Constitution has given us the right to a society where church and state exist independently.  But Christianity has been hijacked by far-right groups and politicians who seek to impose their narrow views on government, often to justify oppressive and unequal policies.  The extremists who weaponize the Bible for early power aren't actually on the side of Jesus - and historically they never have been.  How do we fight back against those acting - literally - in bad faither?  In this informative, perspective-shifting book, Fugelsan takes readers through common fundamentalist arguments on abortion, immigration, LGBTQ rights, and more - exposing their hypocrisy and inaccuracy through scripture, common sense, and deeply inappropriate humor.  It offers practical tips on how to debate your loved one, coworker, or neighbor on the issues that divide us using that Bible they claim to follow.  But Fugelsang's message is about more than just taking down hypocrites.  It's about fighting for the love, mercy, and service that are supposed to make up the heart of Christianity.  It's a rallying cry for compassion and clarity for anyone of any faith who's sick of religion being used as a cloaknig device for hate.

This was a pretty good book.  I felt it was well researched and I even learned a bit.  No one who actually needs to hear these words would read this book, but I am glad I did.  Good book to remind people to stop hiding behind religion to be mean to your fellow man and those you do not agree with.  He does say over and over in the book that it is important to listen.  Something we all need to do more of.

Stars: 4

Book: My Life in Orange

 Book: My Life In Orange

Author: Tim Guest

Pages: 320

This is my 209th read for the year

What Amazon Says:

At the age of 6, Tim Guest was taken by his mother to a commune modeled on the teachings of the notorious Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.  The Bhagwan preached an eclectic doctrine of Eastern mysticism, chaotic therapy, and sexual freedom, and enjoyed inhaling laughing gas, preaching from a dentist's chair, and collecting Rolls Royces.  Tim and his mother were given Sanskrit names, dressed entirely in orange, and encouraged to surrender thermselves into their new family.  While his mother worked tirelessly for the cause, Tim-or Yogesh, as he was not called - lived a life of well meaning but woefully misguided neglact in various communes in England, Oregon, India and Germany.  In 1985 the movement collapsed amid allegations of mass poisonings, attempted murder, and tax evasion, and Yogest was once again Time.  In this extraordinary memoir, Tim Guess chronicles the heartbreaking experience of being left alone on earth while his mother hunted heaven.

This was an interesting book.  Always interested in reading about cults and what draws people in.  He and his mother left the cult when he was 11, but Tim's life continued to be a struggle.  He died in his 30s of a drug overdose.  I read this book because it was part of the Rory Gilmore challenge, but glad I decided to finally tackle it.

Stars: 4